Classic Towns News

With summer fading to fall, many homeowners are wondering how they can begin getting their homes ready for colder weather. Here are some basic, energy-saving tips that homeowners can use to save money and improve the comfort of their home during the winter months.

Things to do this September

Have a home energy assessment performed so you have time to make improvements before the cold sets in. A certified building analyst can help you evaluate ways to save energy and make your house more comfortable and energy-efficient. The analyst should provide a prioritized list of improvements based on their cost-effectiveness and payback time.

Explore potential rebates, tax credits and low interest loans available for Southeastern Pennsylvania residents through EnergyWorks. Residential customers can learn more by calling 215-609-1052. Businesses can learn more here.

Repair windows and seal them with caulk, rope caulk, and maybe clear plastic. Another good idea is to consider purchasing energy-efficient curtains. You’ll find them at most major retailers.

Close up the drafts at the top and bottom of your house. If you’re handy, you may be able to do some of this yourself. More involved projects may require a professional.

Inspect the exterior of your house and repair cracks, rot, and damage. Not only does this help keep warm air in and reduce drafts, it also helps keep out unwanted guests like bugs and mice that are looking for a nice warm place to spend their winter.

Things to do this October

Inspect your furnace, ducts, filters, and systems. Your furnace will be running all winter. Make sure it’s up to the challenge. Now’s also a good time to clean out any dust and debris from your heating ducts and replace your filters to free up the air flow. If your home has a wood-burning chimney, have it inspected and cleaned.

Clean your gutters to remove leaves and other debris that could cause water damage later in the winter. While you’re up there, perhaps install gutter covers to reduce future trips up the ladder.

Insulate, insulate, insulate. Add insulation to exterior walls, attics, garages, and equipment in your home. Insulation for hot water pipes and tanks is inexpensive and cost-effective.

Consider replacing your furnace with a new, high efficiency condensing furnace. Be sure to seal and insulate your house before upgrading your furnace. It will help reduce the heating load and potentially the size of furnace you need to install. If you’re a PECO natural gas customer, you may be eligible to receive rebates for installing ENERGY STAR® rated, high efficiency natural gas boilers. Learn more about PECO’s program.

General Tips

Mind your thermostat. Heating and cooling can account for 50 to 70 percent of all energy usage. So set your thermostat no higher than 68 degrees and dial it back by 8 to 10 degrees at night. Even better, install a programmable thermostat that will help control the temperature automatically.

Take advantage of solar heating by leaving the windows and shades open during the day on the south side of your house. Be sure to close them at night to retain heat.

Don’t block radiators or vents that can keep heat from distributing evenly throughout your home. For rooms used most often, clean the radiators, ducts, and baseboard heaters, and keep them dirt and dust free to maximize flow.